So a group of us (9) drew cow elk tags this year starts Oct.1 as a party we have hunted with each other when one of us has gotten tags to help the tag holder out, but this is the first time all drew together. One of the hunters has serious health issues and was only yesterday allowed to go for 2 days, his brother has a tag also and made the comment "we" need to get him his elk so he can get home. The brother is a single dad and bringing his 10 and 12 year old girls with and dropped on us today that they are bringing a friend. Last year the girls went on this same hunt and were very miserable due to not having proper clothes and boots. The brothers have 1 side by side Polaris but it won't hold everybody. My family has 3 tags (mine, my wife her first one, and my 17 year old son)We fit in my side by side and have good cold weather gear, wall tents, cook shed etc. There are others with tags but they are all 30 something males with no extra bodies. All have stated concerns with kids in camp and being stuck baby sitting and the brother looking for help hauling everyone around and or watching the kids while in camp. I watched the girls in camp after opening morning last year as I was just along for fun but am not willing to do it as I have a tag this year.

We had one other issue with the brother wanting to bring dogs to camp but that has been resolved at this point I believe. When I asked about his plan for the dogs this morning he got upset when I said the dogs couldn't just be loose or in any of the tents because my wife is allergic. I also tried to raise the concerns about the kids and being able to take care of them with out needing help and this also upset him. At this point not sure if I really want to be in camp not sure if there will be any bad feelings and this is my yearly hunting trip. When we applied for tags I asked everyone if they minded that my wife and son put in with us, but the brothers have not shown us the same respect. After going with last year and seeing how it went I don't see the girls having fun and binging down the mood in camp.

Should I just shut up and make the best of it or tell the group thanks but we'll go to another area by ourselves?

My vacation time is precious and I would not take a week off to do what I live for and be miserable. If you can’t have a great time with your wife and son in this camp go elsewhere.

Never an easy decision concerning hunting camp with friends and family. IMO do your best this year to make it an enjoyable hunt for all. Next year, early in the process, hold a mandatory meeting with all those planning on hunting as a group again and lay it all on the line. Concrete answers with rules/guidelines all can and will adhere too! Best of luck this year and make the most of the situation!

Chris

Sounds like maybe you should reduce the size of your elk camp a bit. Too many differing ideas of what an elk camp should be.

Go it alone,leave the BS behind.Never could understand why anyone wanted to go to the bush with a crowd.

I agree with BOCO. It feels awkward.

Been there in a similar situation,man up.You will deal with this sooner or later.I put it off too and it got way out of hand.I was being used as a doormat,it got to the point where I dreaded my favorite time of year,Fall.After a few years of it I'd had enough and made it known.That was around 10 yrs. ago and I haven't talked tp him since and we had been friends since high school.Have another friend who was part of our group who's made himself scarce since,the only thing left to say is,they'll get over it,they have no choice.Guys who come into a camp expecting other people to wait on them and do them favors are leeches,pure and simple.It'll go on for as long as you let it'

Tough choice. Did the dad buy his daughters warm clothes this time? Are those the only kids there or is there more? Tell them they bring their kids they can watch them or they can go hunt with them.

Why not go but just camp down the way in the same area? I get it, it's elk camp but this way you and your family aren't at home bummed out for missing a hunt.

Not to hijack this thread, but on the same subject, I have "friends" who I never hear from all year except when hunting season rolls around? Then they call and want to go hunting with me. I'll bet I'm not alone in this.

I think its to late to change your mine this year, but let it be known for next year earlier

Couldn't pay me enough to babysit grown men in the bush.

I know what you are talking about .I have be in camps where one or two are there for the benefits of having a good camp set up and a good place to hunt .But when it comes to pulling their share they are always giving some excuse as to why they can not help . I have even ask why they come if they are not prepared to do what it takes . They gave me some thing along the line of our camp usually has a lot of success . Think about it who would not want to be part of a successful group of hunters that put them up and do most of the work while they sit back and complain about anything that does not meet their desire .The best thing to do is explain how and why things are done .Tell them if they can not measure up to the expectations of the group they on their own. You can offer to help them be prepared but tell them this is a team effort .If they can't or will not live up to that leave them out. Anything less will drag the whole thing into an unhappy trip.

Plus one is a killer, a plus one when 9 guys have tags is just stupid!

This guy is right. Twice on one thread!

That was part of the problem in my situation.And all camp duties and responsibities were left to me.I got told,"they were on vacation".Never,ever again.

The sooner the better.

If it was me and the guy with health issues has been a regular in the past. I would do everything I could to help him for 2 days, I think that could be split up between all of you. Then I'd focus on my wife and son and myself last. The brother after the 2 days can pound sand. That's how I'd handle it and still sleep well at night. I was in an accident in 2011 and if it wasn't for afew good friends giving up some of their hunting time to help me, I'd have had to sit home in a funk. I'll never forget what they did and try to pay it forward every chance I get. OK all the hardasses on here can let me have it now.

Never been in a situation like this really, but as far as tags go (not elk) we get whoever has never harvested what we’re after theirs, then we go after ours.
As far as babysitting grown men or kids, that would be a no for me. My time and family come first. Yes, I am an beep hole, but I’m going home with what I went for. I come prepared...not as a daycare or clothing store. If someone needs coddling that same horse they rode in on they can ride back out on. I would just make of obviously clear of my intentions on the hunt long before you leave out. If I was a betting man, the fact that your wife drew a tag, they now think it’s all good for them because a woman is in camp.

You seem like the serious hunter of the group and the rest are tag alongs . I'd go with the original plan and camp members but venture off with your wife and son during hunting hours . You can see how things go and make new decisions for next year . I've been in circus camps and it's not worth it . Time in the woods is suppose to be special and medicine for the mind . Sharing these moments with a few like minded people makes it even better. But a circus camp full of Jack holes makes for crappy memories .

This sounds like good, commonsense advice to me.